§ MASTER OF ELIBANK (Edinburgh, Midlothian)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he will state whether it is the intention of the Government to finally ratify the proposed contract with the Elder, Dempster Line to carry His Majesty's mails between this country and the West Indies and British Guiana.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonA full statement of the course followed in this matter has been embodied in a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors of the colonies concerned.This despatch has been laid on the Table of the House, and will be in the hands of hon. Members very shortly, and will give the information wished for by the hon. Member in a fuller and more convenient form than can be done by Question and Answer.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Will the noble Lord say what provision has been made for the carrying of the mails in the interval?
§ LORD STANLEYNo new contract has been made. The mails will be sent by any steamer that may be available.
§ MR. BRIGHTWill the noble Lord publish the Reports received from the different colonies on this subject?
§ LORD STANLEYThat does not come under my Department. If the hon. Member will wait for the statement I have promised he will see the main one is dealt with if not all of them.